In Review: Big Finish: The Fourth Doctor Adventures – Series 8: The Syndicate Master Plan Volume 1

Synopsis: WPC Ann Kelso joins the Fourth Doctor and K9 in The Syndicate Master Plan – and we can’t wait to see what happens! The Fourth Doctor’s new companion is set to make a big impact…

Review: In The Fourth Doctor Adventures – Series 8: The Syndicate Master Plan Volume 1, writers Andrew Smith, Phil Mulryne, Simon Barnard, Paul Morris, and Guy Adams had a milestone task — crafting The Fourth Doctor’s first original Big Finish Companion. They had to choose which Doctor Who characters would inform her, and they decided to combine bits of Sarah Jane Smith with bits of Torchwood’s Gwen Cooper. 

Jane Slavin brought real depth to her role as WPC Ann Kelso, justifying the author’s creative choices. For their parts, Tom Baker and John Leeson were as marvelous as ever. The three of them were completely engaging and the Classic cliff-hanger at the end of the volume was exactly the trouble listeners would expect this trio to find themselves in.

Beyond that vague reference to the end, however, I can’t really discuss the plots of the set in any detail. The story titles are inescapable spoilers in themselves, and the stories are full of callbacks and easter eggs. I will say that I adored the way that Phil Mulryne fleshed out the Drashigs and that I’m sorry The Enchantress of Numbers couldn’t join the Tardis crew for an extended run.

Bring on Volume 2!

• You can purchase The Fourth Doctor Adventures – Series 8: The Syndicate Master Plan Volume 1 here.

Written By: Andrew Smith, Phil Mulryne, Simon Barnard, Paul Morris, Guy Adams

Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Jane Slavin (Ann Kelso), John Leeson (K9), Frank Skinner (DCI Scott Neilson), Glynis Barber (Kathy Blake), Ewan Bailey (Hugo Blake), Nicholas Khan (Jimmy Lynch), Leon Williams (Tony Reynolds), Fenella Woolgar (Vanessa Seaborne), Jeremy Clyde (Lord Braye), Lizzie Roper (Trencher), Andrew Ryan (Titus Wayland), Finty Williams(Ada Lovelace), Andrew Havill (Colonel Wildman), Eve Webster (Hettie / Lady Cleverley), Barnaby Edwards (Mr Hobhouse), Glen McCready (Edvard Scheutz / Lord Byron / Harry), John Shrapnel(Nigel Colloon), Anna Acton (Brox), Blake Ritson (Elmore), Roger May (Mac Foley), Tracy Wiles (Drones). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson

Script Editor John Dorney

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs